Water line shuts down Kickapoo Street, to reopen next week

After a cold snap hit last week, several of the city's waterlines snapped as well.

Carmen Bourlon

After a cold snap hit last week, several of the city's waterlines snapped as well.

Of the seven that broke, including the one along Kickapoo Street from Kickapoo Spur to Independence Street, all have been repaired.

Interim Utility Director Steve Nelms said the breaks were likely due the ground shifting above the lines.

"It was happening quite a bit over the weekend," Nelms said.

However, most of the lines were also fixed over the weekend, he said.

Nelms estimated the line underneath Kickapoo was out for about five hours.

"That's a fairly large line for us," City Manager Brian McDougal said.

McDougal added that few customers were without water.

"Some customers saw water loss, but it was isolated," he said.

He added that because the break happened in the middle of the night, few even noticed a problem.

Kickapoo Street, which was closed between Kickapoo Spur and Independence Street as a result of the water line break, was reopened to two-way traffic Wednesday afternoon, Assistant City Engineer Michael Ludi said.

The water line breakage caused issues with the street itself, and there has been too much moisture to pour concrete, Ludi added.

He said he expects the street to be reopened by Monday, Jan. 7. Concrete will be poured over the weekend and allowed to set, he said.